Kyiv [Ukraine], September 13: Britain and the United States are considering letting Ukraine use Western weapons to attack Russian territory, while Washington is determined to let Kyiv join NATO.
The Washington Post reported on September 12 that the United States and Britain promised to quickly consider Ukraine's request to ease restrictions on the country's use of Western weapons to attack Russian territory. The commitment was made as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his British counterpart David Lammy visited Kyiv on September 11 after a nine-hour train ride from Poland.
Ready to adjust
Speaking in Kyiv, Mr. Blinken said that the US has been ready to adjust its policy "from day one" as the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine changes. "We will continue to do that," he stressed. Although the UK and the US have not officially ratified it, Western media reported that the UK has quietly approved it, while the US is finalizing related plans.
POLITICO on September 12 quoted sources as saying that the White House is finalizing a plan to ease some restrictions on Ukraine's use of US - supplied weapons and better defend itself against Russian missiles.
The Guardian newspaper quoted anonymous British officials as saying that the country had allowed Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles supplied by the UK for long-range strikes deep into Russian territory. Previously, there was information that Ukraine used Storm Shadow to attack military targets in the Crimean peninsula, an area annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014.
According to Reuters, the White House is under increasing pressure from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers to ease restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-supplied weapons. Many lawmakers have continuously submitted petitions in the context of Mr. Blinken's visit to Kyiv.
America's new determination
In addition to considering letting Ukraine use aid weapons to attack Russian territory, the US also expressed a decisive attitude about Ukraine joining NATO . "NATO members came (to the summit in Washington DC, USA) to make clear that Ukraine's path to NATO membership is irreversible and now Ukraine is on that path," the US Secretary of State emphasized at a press conference in Kyiv on September 11.
According to Ukrinform, Secretary of State Blinken also recalled that for the first time in NATO history, a command was created to help Ukraine move towards joining the alliance, and that command has become operational. "Everything is progressing and it is important that in the meantime, Ukraine continues to push forward with the necessary reforms," the diplomat noted.
The new US moves have prompted a strong reaction from Russia. The Kremlin said on September 11 that it would respond "appropriately" if the US lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-supplied missiles.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the US statements represent an attempt at "psychological warfare", but will not make Russia change its course but will create more risks for the US and its allies. More harshly, RT quoted former Kremlin adviser Sergey Karaganov calling on Moscow to revise its nuclear doctrine because it no longer has a deterrent nature.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
